Med Surg Cardiovascular Practice Test Bank A
with 287 Questions and Correct Answers with
Rationales/ Medical Surgical Cardiovascular
Exam Questions and Answers Review
If a nurse knows a client's heart rate, what other value and formula does she need
to know to calculate CO? - ANSWER-Answer: Stroke Volume
Rationale: Cardiac output equals stroke volume (the amount of blood ejected with
each beat) times heart rate. [CO = SV X HR]
The nurse is taking a health history of a new patient. The patient reports
experiencing pain in his left lower leg and foot when walking. This pain is relieved
with rest. The nurse notes that the left lower leg is slightly edematous and is
hairless. When planning this patient's subsequent care, the nurse should most likely
address what health problem?
A)
Coronary artery disease (CAD)
B)
Intermittent claudication
C)
Arterial embolus
D)
Raynaud's disease - ANSWER-Ans:
B
Feedback:
1
,A muscular, cramp-type pain in the extremities consistently reproduced with the
same degree of exercise or activity and relieved by rest is experienced by patients
with peripheral arterial insufficiency. Referred to as intermittent claudication, this
pain is caused by the inability of the arterial system to provide adequate blood flow
to the tissues in the face of increased demands for nutrients and oxygen during
exercise. The nurse would not suspect the patient has CAD, arterial embolus, or
Raynaud's disease; none of these health problems produce this cluster of signs and
symptoms.
While assessing a patient the nurse notes that the patient's ankle-brachial index
(ABI) of the right leg is 0.40. How should the nurse best respond to this assessment
finding?
A)
Assess the patient's use of over-the-counter dietary supplements.
B)
Implement interventions relevant to arterial narrowing.
C)
Encourage the patient to increase intake of foods high in vitamin K.
D)
Adjust the patient's activity level to accommodate decreased coronary output. -
ANSWER-Ans:
B
Feedback:
ABI is used to assess the degree of stenosis of peripheral arteries. An ABI of less
than 1.0 indicates possible claudication of the peripheral arteries. It does not
indicate inadequate coronary output. There is no direct indication for changes in
vitamin K intake and OTC medications are not likely causative.
2
,The nurse is providing care for a patient who has just been diagnosed with
peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAD). What assessment finding is most
consistent with this diagnosis?
A)
Numbness and tingling in the distal extremities
B)
Unequal peripheral pulses between extremities
C)
Visible clubbing of the fingers and toes
D)
Reddened extremities with muscle atrophy - ANSWER-Ans:
B
Feedback:
PAD assessment may manifest as unequal pulses between extremities, with the
affected leg cooler and paler than the unaffected leg. Intermittent claudication is far
more common than sensations of numbness and tingling. Clubbing and muscle
atrophy are not associated with PAD.
The nurse is admitting a 32-year-old woman to the presurgical unit. The nurse
learns during the admission assessment that the patient takes oral contraceptives.
Consequently, the nurse's postoperative plan of care should include what
intervention?
A)
Early ambulation and leg exercises
B)
Cessation of the oral contraceptives until 3 weeks postoperative
3
, C)
Doppler ultrasound of peripheral circulation twice daily
D)
Dependent positioning of the patient's extremities when at rest - ANSWER-Ans:
A
Feedback:
Oral contraceptive use increases blood coagulability; with bed rest, the patient may
be at increased risk of developing deep vein thrombosis. Leg exercises and early
ambulation are among the interventions that address this risk. Assessment of
peripheral circulation is important, but Doppler ultrasound may not be necessary to
obtain these data. Dependent positioning increases the risk of venous
thromboembolism (VTE). Contraceptives are not normally discontinued to address
the risk of VTE in the short term.
A nurse is creating an education plan for a patient with venous insufficiency. What
measure should the nurse include in the plan?
A)
Avoiding tight-fitting socks.
B)
Limit activity whenever possible.
C)
Sleep with legs in a dependent position.
D)
Avoid the use of pressure stockings. - ANSWER-Ans:
A
4
with 287 Questions and Correct Answers with
Rationales/ Medical Surgical Cardiovascular
Exam Questions and Answers Review
If a nurse knows a client's heart rate, what other value and formula does she need
to know to calculate CO? - ANSWER-Answer: Stroke Volume
Rationale: Cardiac output equals stroke volume (the amount of blood ejected with
each beat) times heart rate. [CO = SV X HR]
The nurse is taking a health history of a new patient. The patient reports
experiencing pain in his left lower leg and foot when walking. This pain is relieved
with rest. The nurse notes that the left lower leg is slightly edematous and is
hairless. When planning this patient's subsequent care, the nurse should most likely
address what health problem?
A)
Coronary artery disease (CAD)
B)
Intermittent claudication
C)
Arterial embolus
D)
Raynaud's disease - ANSWER-Ans:
B
Feedback:
1
,A muscular, cramp-type pain in the extremities consistently reproduced with the
same degree of exercise or activity and relieved by rest is experienced by patients
with peripheral arterial insufficiency. Referred to as intermittent claudication, this
pain is caused by the inability of the arterial system to provide adequate blood flow
to the tissues in the face of increased demands for nutrients and oxygen during
exercise. The nurse would not suspect the patient has CAD, arterial embolus, or
Raynaud's disease; none of these health problems produce this cluster of signs and
symptoms.
While assessing a patient the nurse notes that the patient's ankle-brachial index
(ABI) of the right leg is 0.40. How should the nurse best respond to this assessment
finding?
A)
Assess the patient's use of over-the-counter dietary supplements.
B)
Implement interventions relevant to arterial narrowing.
C)
Encourage the patient to increase intake of foods high in vitamin K.
D)
Adjust the patient's activity level to accommodate decreased coronary output. -
ANSWER-Ans:
B
Feedback:
ABI is used to assess the degree of stenosis of peripheral arteries. An ABI of less
than 1.0 indicates possible claudication of the peripheral arteries. It does not
indicate inadequate coronary output. There is no direct indication for changes in
vitamin K intake and OTC medications are not likely causative.
2
,The nurse is providing care for a patient who has just been diagnosed with
peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAD). What assessment finding is most
consistent with this diagnosis?
A)
Numbness and tingling in the distal extremities
B)
Unequal peripheral pulses between extremities
C)
Visible clubbing of the fingers and toes
D)
Reddened extremities with muscle atrophy - ANSWER-Ans:
B
Feedback:
PAD assessment may manifest as unequal pulses between extremities, with the
affected leg cooler and paler than the unaffected leg. Intermittent claudication is far
more common than sensations of numbness and tingling. Clubbing and muscle
atrophy are not associated with PAD.
The nurse is admitting a 32-year-old woman to the presurgical unit. The nurse
learns during the admission assessment that the patient takes oral contraceptives.
Consequently, the nurse's postoperative plan of care should include what
intervention?
A)
Early ambulation and leg exercises
B)
Cessation of the oral contraceptives until 3 weeks postoperative
3
, C)
Doppler ultrasound of peripheral circulation twice daily
D)
Dependent positioning of the patient's extremities when at rest - ANSWER-Ans:
A
Feedback:
Oral contraceptive use increases blood coagulability; with bed rest, the patient may
be at increased risk of developing deep vein thrombosis. Leg exercises and early
ambulation are among the interventions that address this risk. Assessment of
peripheral circulation is important, but Doppler ultrasound may not be necessary to
obtain these data. Dependent positioning increases the risk of venous
thromboembolism (VTE). Contraceptives are not normally discontinued to address
the risk of VTE in the short term.
A nurse is creating an education plan for a patient with venous insufficiency. What
measure should the nurse include in the plan?
A)
Avoiding tight-fitting socks.
B)
Limit activity whenever possible.
C)
Sleep with legs in a dependent position.
D)
Avoid the use of pressure stockings. - ANSWER-Ans:
A
4
